As school violence surges across the nation following a return to in-person learning from pandemic school closures, educators are now forcing students back into remote learning as a knee-jerk response to escalating incidences of threats and violence. School safety experts are increasingly concerned that virtual learning is being misused by school administrators as a crutch that could ultimately make escalating violence even worse.

“We agree that remote learning is unhealthy for kids academically, socially, and emotionally.  And we agree that the uptick in school violence around the nation is likely due to the social-emotional anxiety kids experienced from remote learning.  So why force kids back into remote learning as a knee-jerk response when threats, fights, and related safety concerns arise?  It is sending the kids right back into the context that created this violence in the first place,” said Ken Trump, a national school safety expert and President of National School Safety and Security Services in Cleveland.

Trump compiled a snapshot look at escalating school violence from 40 news stories in recent months that include large scale school fights, weapons confiscations, and other school violence plaguing U.S. schools. More than 40%  of the stories involved cases where school leaders forced students back to remote learning, many of those in response to vague social media and other threats. (See the list and links below.)

“I have one simple question for school administrators: What would you have done in response to school fights, threats, and related safety concerns two, five, or ten years ago when remote learning was not an option?,” Trump asked.  He noted that prior to virtual learning options being in place school administrators would continue with in-person learning since they only had snow/weather days as an option for closing school.

Trump says school leaders should already have plans in place to manage upticks in safety incidents including behavior management plans, increased student supervision in areas where violence tends to occur, heightened security staffing, beefed up coordination with local police, investigation and mediation of student conflicts, engagement of parents of violent students, social-emotional and mental health supports, and related measures.

Instead, Trump and his colleagues are seeing school administrators quickly turn to putting metal detectors in schools to appease parents’ desire for perceived increased safety, and increasing other security hardware for what he describes as attempted “technology solutions to human problems.”

Trump and his colleagues are working with school leaders to prepare and implement more practical security and emergency preparedness plans, train their staff, and conduct tabletop exercises for safer schools.

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Examples of students forced to remote learning in recent months due to school safety threats:

• Albany, NY: North Albany Middle School goes virtual after a threat https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Albany-middle-school-shifts-remote-as-police-16518766.php
• Alexandria, VA: 2 Alexandria City High Schools go virtual after anonymous threat: https://wtop.com/alexandria/2021/10/2-alexandria-schools-go-virtual-after-anonymous-threat/
• Bedford, OH: Bedford High School put on remote learning for close to a month due to fights and to put in metal detectors: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/education/bedford-high-school-remain-remote-learning-until-november-29-outbreak-violence/95-1b59f832-0719-4c18-a571-ebefb90ab200
• Churchill, PA: Woodland Hills High School students put on remote learning following fights and a social media threat https://triblive.com/local/woodland-hills-officials-investigate-social-media-threats-to-school/
• Fremont County, CO: Florence Jr/Sr High School went to remote learning for two days after multiple threats https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/florence-jr-sr-high-school-moves-to-remote-learning-wed-due-to-school-threats
• Fulton, NY: High School goes virtual due to a threat https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/fulton/g-ray-bodley-high-school-goes-remote-due-to-report-of-potential-threat/
• Hammond, IN: Two high schools and wo middle schools went remote because of “ongoing threats of violence” https://www.nwitimes.com/news/education/threats-force-hammond-secondary-schools-to-go-remote-in-growing-trend/article_802b583b-cfb6-5df0-9bc9-9af3c3fcb22a.html
• Gary, Indiana – West Side Leadership Academy students forced to remote learning for days after fights and a student shooting at a bus stop https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/update-region-school-goes-remote-after-student-shot-near-bus-stop/article_0a990ec1-168d-5c6e-bee3-5a4d13ac6476.html
• Irmo, SC: Irmo High School forced to remote learning following a social media threat and teachers calling off work https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/irmo-high-school-elearning-friday-september-24/101-b2bccaba-e0e0-460f-8be6-26d05aa8cd59
• Monongahela, PA: Ringgold High School closed with students forced to remote learning after a threat https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/10/12/ringgold-high-school-threat/
• Newport News, VA: Heritage High School students were put in remote learning for approximately a month following a shooting at Heritage High School https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/newport-news/after-shooting-huntington-middle-heritage-high-students-will-return-to-in-person-learning-next-week/
• Orono, ME: Middle and High School students forced to remote learning after a threat https://bangordailynews.com/2021/10/07/news/2-more-maine-schools-call-off-classes-due-to-threats/
• Ossining, NY: Ossining High School switches to full remote learning after a threat was made on social media https://bronx.news12.com/ossining-high-school-switches-to-full-remote-learning-following-social-media-threat
• Pittsburgh, PA – South Park Middle School forced to virtual learning due to threat: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/11/02/south-park-middle-school-threat-students-virtual-learning-november-3-police-investigation-snapchat-post-gun-violence/stories/202111020171
• Portland, Maine: Portland High School put on remote learning due to social media threat: https://www.portlandschools.org/news___calendars/spotlight_news/p_h_s_goes_to_remote_learning_sept__30
• Richmond, CA: Richmond school district keeps students home after a shooting threat https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2021/05/11/richmond-school-district-keeps-students-home-after-shooting-threat/
• Swissvale, PA: Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy students sent home to remote learning due to threats https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/11/12/dickson-preparatory-remote-learning-threats/

Examples of large scale fights, weapons confiscations, and other school violence threats nationwide in recent months:

• Aiken, SC: Gun found on student after multiple students fighting https://www.wrdw.com/2021/11/09/teen-arrested-after-gun-found-book-bag-aiken-high/
• Akron, OH: Akron Schools faced a no confidence vote from the teachers union as they dealt with months of fights, behavioral issues and safety concerns https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/11/01/akron-public-schools-teachers-union-raising-concern-student-violence-akron-education-association/6236412001/ and https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/10/26/akron-public-schools-raising-expectations-following-months-behavioral-issues-pandemic-social/8540908002/
• Baltimore, MD: Vicious school fights caught on camera prompts father to stage protest at school https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/more-vicious-schools-fights-caught-on-camera-prompts-father-to-stage-protest-at-school
• Baton Rouge, LA: Scotlandville High School – students and parents in multiple fights https://www.brproud.com/news/local-news/fights-break-out-at-scotlandville-high-school-district-looking-to-implement-violence-prevention-programs/
• Biloxi, Miss. (WLOX) – Students at Biloxi High are seeing changes after three guns were found on school grounds in the last three weeks. The district is taking action by increasing security at the school. https://www.wdam.com/2021/11/11/biloxi-schools-increase-security-after-another-weapon-is-found-student/
• Boston, MA – Boston principal knocked unconscious for minutes by student https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/family-of-boston-principal-injured-in-attack-by-student-provides-update-on-condition/2552805/
• Bristol, VT: Fights, including one sent a student to the hospital, have parents calling for action https://www.wcax.com/2021/11/03/officials-try-reassure-parents-after-2nd-violent-incident-bristol-schools/
• Buffalo, NY: 2 students stabbed, 3 others suspended following altercation at Fountain Plaza – https://buffalonews.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/2-students-stabbed-3-others-suspending-following-altercation-at-fountain-plaza/article_d437dd36-4246-11ec-9d8b-0f903cca6b01.html
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC: West Mecklenburg High School reports of large fight in the parking lot, possible gun https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/large-fight-west-mecklenburg-high-school-police-investigation-security-gun/275-e551e356-044a-4445-a950-52ee3296ef78
• Fort Lauderdale, FL: Rise in school fights result of pandemic https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/10/26/rise-broward-school-fights/
• Indianapolis, IN: Nearly 40 IMPD officers responded to George Washington High School Wednesday afternoon for a large fight. Police said the fight started inside the school but quickly spread outside to a parking lot.  40-year-old woman arrested with a firearm. https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/impd-george-washington-high-school-fight/531-b7cd6557-2d4d-4de6-b70a-5054afc06811
• Live Oak, TX: Student fighting has become such a concern in Judson ISD, a group of parents formed their own Facebook group to talk about how to solve school safety problems https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/its-just-disturbing-parent-led-facebook-group-forms-after-spike-in-school-fights
• Madison, WI: ‘We don’t feel safe’: Fights at East High lead to students pepper sprayed, citations, and ambulances https://www.wkow.com/news/it-was-pretty-crazy-students-voice-concerns-about-safety-after-east-high-school-fight/article_00741062-40f9-11ec-a0cc-d706159ca1a5.html ; https://www.channel3000.com/police-pepper-spray-east-high-students/
• Memphis, TN: After an increase in gun violence in Memphis schools and surrounding neighborhoods, the school district’s superintendent asks for help https://tn.chalkbeat.org/platform/amp/2021/11/1/22758000/memphis-gun-violence-school-shootings-joris-ray-in-person-learning-student-safety
• Montgomery County, MD: In just over 10 weeks, police in Montgomery County, Maryland, have been called to respond to 48 reported assaults in the county’s public school system, more than the school system saw for the entire school year three years ago. In the latest incident Nov. 9, a 16-year-old student was arrested and charged as an adult for a stabbing attack in the parking lot outside Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2021/11/police-report-to-48-assaults-in-montgomery-county-schools-in-first-months-of-school/
• Naperville, IL: Naperville North High School cancels classes after second threat within weeks https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/naperville-north-high-school-cancels-classes-after-second-threat-within-weeks/2638226/
• New York City, NY: Videos capture extent of student brawls at Queens high school https://nypost.com/2021/10/23/videos-capture-extent-of-student-brawls-at-queens-high-school/
• New York City, NY: NYC schools see huge surge in student weapons seizures: https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-nyc-schools-huge-surge-weapon-seizures-20211108-wcz27maccrhmlfpxhnul2dwr3i-story.html
• Norwich, CT: Hundreds of behavioral incidents this year: A separate chart provided by Assistant Superintendent Tamara Gloster listed 454 student behavioral incidents broken down by category, along with a report of disciplinary actions taken. Gloster reported the district in October averaged 10 incidents per day of “throwing objects, obscene language and physical fighting,” up from 8.2 per day in September. Of the 454 total incidents, 15 were listed as assaults on other students, three assaults on staff, 22 physical fights, 23 incidents of thrown objects and 20 incidents of property destruction. Another 33 incidents were labeled “non-verbal disruption,” and in 24 cases, students left the classroom. https://www.theday.com/local-news/20211109/norwich-schools-report-lists-hundreds-of-student-behavioral-incidents-this-year
• Prince George’s County, MD: Parents seek solutions to stop school violence https://wjla.com/news/local/it-takes-a-village-prince-georges-parents-seek-solutions-to-stop-violence-in-schools­­­­­­­­
• Prince George’s County (MD) Schools asks Homeland Security to monitor social media to prevent fights https://theintercept.com/2021/11/09/homeland-security-surveillance-school-fights/
• Rochester, NY: Police stationed outside schools after reports of violent incidents involving students and staff in the district, including, but not limited to a https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/public-safety/2021/10/31/rcsd-union-presidents–5-teachers-assaulted-by-students-at-franklin-high-school?fbclid=IwAR0mW8W82ObdZV6MfBIxdadEnF-mAVFNwLKGfetcnEUDqKhdflrI0gFEPiI,  teacher alleging a sexual assault of a student, high school teachers alleging assault by students, and a student being attacked https://www.rochesterfirst.com/community/rcsd/rcsd-to-station-police-officers-outside-schools-to-help-curb-violence/
• Shreveport, LA: A week of violent fights at Southwood High School led a group of dads to patrol school halls https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/29/us/dads-on-duty-louisiana-school-cec/index.html
• South Bend, IN: Racial fight – Four students face charges for Clay High School fight. A parent says it began with a racial slur. https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/local/2021/11/10/south-bend-indiana-clay-high-school-fight-racial-slur-students-st-joseph-county/6356470001/
• Staten Island, NY: High school fight leaves multiple school safety agents injured https://www.silive.com/crime-safety/2021/11/fight-at-new-dorp-high-school-leaves-multiple-school-safety-agents-injured.html
• Winston-Salem, NC: Plagued by guns at schools, Forsyth officials turn to clear bookbags https://greensboro.com/news/state-and-regional/plagued-by-guns-at-schools-forsyth-officials-have-a-solution-clear-bookbags/article_c2d84730-286d-11ec-810a-fbfe94955de7.html?fbclid=IwAR25X5yT5-kX70OjEHpo7JPY_6oEq1bqlLQGM8l2oxEiA63BDnZGzS1IZgg
• Woodhaven, MI: More than a dozen involved in a hallway fight that left some with injuries https://www.thenewsherald.com/2021/11/10/big-brawl-at-woodhaven-high-school-results-in-minor-injuries-cause-under-investigation/

Ken Trump is the President of National School Safety and Security Services

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